“How long you been going out?” David asked.
They were all members of the football team, and she hated all the questions.
Theo didn’t seem to mind and took them all in stride. “Since Friday.”
“We’ve been official boyfriend and girlfriend since this morning,” she said, popping in a fry.
“Wow, you work fast.”
She didn’t catch who said that.
“Are you pregnant?”
She turned to Mike, knowing he was Theo’s best friend.
“No.”
“How can you be so sure?” another guy asked.
“Enough,” Theo said.
She was growing tired of all the questions. “Have you ever attended sex ed?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“Then you know you’ve got to actually do something to get pregnant, right?”
“You’re saying you and Theo haven’t done anything?” David asked.
She raised her brow and glanced at Theo.
Her brand-new boyfriend was smirking. “What’s the matter, David?”
“I just can’t imagine you being a boyfriend without getting laid.”
“Well, I can’t imagine you playing ball whenever you’re on the bench.”
That stopped David from laughing.
“Ruby’s my girlfriend. She’s not to be made fun of, and you’re sure as shit not to be spreading rumors. You hear anything, you nip it in the bud,” Theo said.
She was surprised by his support and how serious he sounded as well.
“Why the fuck should we do that?” Jake asked.
“As your friend and as your captain, I’m asking you to make sure my girlfriend is taken care of, or are we only a team on the field?” Theo asked.
“You know we’ll take care of her and you,” Mike said.
Her heart pounded as one by one, the guys agreed. She couldn’t believe Theo would do that.
Staring at him now, she was a little … shocked. This time, she kissed his cheek and smiled.
“What was that for?”
“I think that’s one of the sweetest things you could have done.”
The table erupted in ahs at her.
Her face went red, but Theo didn’t seem to care.
“I take care of what’s mine.”
“I’m not property.”
“I know you’re not, but to these guys, you’re mine. I won’t have you feeling like shit around this school because I want to be your boyfriend. I’m proving to you this is not a trick. I’m not bullshitting you. I mean what I say.”
She was starting to get that about Theo.
Chapter Five
Ten more dates ensued over the next month. They were not only on a Friday but also a Saturday, and even through the week. Theo loved spending time with Ruby, as he knew he would.
Tonight, he’d be meeting her mother, and he knew she was nervous and saw it in her eyes when he walked to her locker later that day. She was gathering her books, and he took the bag from her, never wanting her to carry something so heavy. It had taken a month, but no one was shocked anymore to see them together.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Your mom’s pizza night is supposed to be epic. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t invite myself?”
“A sane one. I thought all boyfriends were supposed to be afraid to meet the parent.”
“They are, but I think this one will be cool.” He took her hand, and they walked out of high school together. His friends thought he was crazy, especially as they knew he still wasn’t getting any. Not that he told them, they just seemed to know.
Theo didn’t care what anyone thought.
He liked that he was having to work for it, that she wasn’t willing to have sex straight away, giving them both a chance to get to know one another.
Chasing after Ruby wasn’t about fucking her. She was different from other girls, and he certainly wasn’t about to ruin his chance with her for a quick fuck.
He’d picked her up from her house that morning, so he was driving them both. He’d offered to wear his uniform, but Ruby wasn’t impressed. She never fawned all over him when he wore it.
“Are there any topics you think I should avoid?” Theo asked.
“None. My mom’s a pretty open book. She’s cool about everything. I wouldn’t worry so much.”
“She sounds awesome.”
“I’m biased. I do think she is awesome, but you never know, I may see a whole new side to her with you.”
“You’re not helping.”
She chuckled. “I like this,” she said.
“What?”
“Being with you. Hanging out. Having fun.”
“Wait until we upgrade to the kissing part.”
She rolled her eyes, and he had no choice but to focus on the road.
The moment they pulled up outside of her house, he noticed Ruby tense up.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know.” She unbuckled her seatbelt, and he had no choice but to follow her out.
Walking up the drive, he noticed how upset she was. She pulled out her key, opening the door.
“Mom, I’m home. I brought Theo with me.”
In the past month, he’d never known her to react like this.
She wouldn’t budge past the door. There was enough room for him to close it behind him, and then he turned to see the lady from the veterinary clinic where he’d gotten his dog, Scooch, dealt with after he ate chocolate he shouldn’t have done. Of course, he also knew Callie for another reason, but he wasn’t going to spill the beans on that little secret.